—Submitted photo MAGWED members (left to right) Gary Northrop, Chase Almond, Jeff Wood and Allen Angstrom display some of the prizes being offered at this year’s 46th annual tournament in Okoboji.

OKOBOJI — A sense of normalcy returns to a time-honored Iowa outdoor tradition this weekend at Triggs Bay Resort and Arnolds Park.

The 46th annual MAGWED fishing tournament brings both its regular schedule and slate of activities back to the field beginning at 12:01 a.m. here this Saturday morning. Weigh-ins are from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday evening.

Prizes will be awarded for largest walleye, largest northern pike, and largest bass (small- or large-mouth) in both the youth and adult divisions. The youth category — ages 15 and under — will also offer a biggest pan-fish competition for the first time this year to cover crappie, perch, bluegill, yellow bass and sunfish.

“Any kid who is in attendance gets a prize,” said MAGWED president Jerod Dencklau of Moorland. “We have tents, book bags, balls, fishing poles…a little bit of everything. This has been a family experience and a youth-oriented event for as long as I can remember, and we always want to keep it that way.

“As long as the kids are happy and having fun enjoying the outdoors, that’s our ultimate goal.”

Fish from the following lakes qualify for the contest: East and West Okoboji, Big and Little Spirit Lake, Minnewashta, and Upper Lower Gar. All walleye between 19 and 25 inches must be immediately released.

Rules and regulations of the DNR will be followed. There is no registration or fee to enter.

“We really stress checking out the Iowa DNR page and the rulebook,” said Dencklau, who is in his 15th year of involvement with MAGWED. “We want everyone to enjoy themselves and take advantage of what looks to be a really nice forecast (expected temperatures around 70 degrees).

“After the last couple of years, dealing with COVID, weather issues and so much more, we’re just hoping for the best and to see a big turnout. All of the food, door prizes and everything else will be offered like it was before.”

MAGWED was started by Messenger sports editor Bob Brown in 1976.

“We want to thank all of our sponsors,” Dencklau said. “Last year, because of the strict distancing rules and COVID, we didn’t ask for anything (from businesses and donors). We weren’t really sure how it would go (in preparation for the 2022 event), but the area has been incredible supportive. We greatly appreciate the response and ability to keep this going.”

For more information, please contact Dencklau via email at magwed@outlook.com